Latch mechanism

ABSTRACT

A latch mechanism is applied in a notebook PC or similar apparatus with a base and foldable cover. The latch mechanism includes a first fastener installed in a foldable cover and a second fastener installed in a base. A bump is formed in the coupling surface of the first fastener and a corresponding recess is formed in the coupling surface of the second fastener. When coupling, the bump is wedged in the corresponding recess.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based on, and claims priority from, TaiwanApplication Serial Number 94102531, filed Jan. 27, 2005, the disclosureof which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a latch mechanism, and moreparticularly to a portable computer latch mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A portable computer includes a base and a foldable cover that connectswith the base through a shaft mechanism. A screen is embedded in thefoldable cover. While in use, the foldable cover is lifted to separatefrom the base for exposing the embedded screen. While in movement, thefoldable cover is closed to the base. A latch mechanism is used to fixthe foldable cover and the base while closing to prevent the screen fromdamage.

Typically, a latch mechanism includes a hook and a ring respectivelyinstalled in the base and the foldable cover. A spring is connected withthe hook to modify the hook position. When the base and the foldablecover are folded, the hook grapples with the ring to fix the base andthe cover. When the foldable cover is lifted, the hook is moved from itsoriginal position by deforming the spring to separate the cover and thebase. However, when the cover and base are separated, the hook usuallyprotrudes from the surface. A careless user often breaks the protrudinghook. Moreover, a spring is used to define the hook orientation. Oncethe spring has been permanently deformed because of fatigue, the springmay not bring the hook to the latch position again, which affects thefixed stability. Further, when a computer is used as a writing tablet,the protruding hook impedes the user from writing on the screen.

For resolving the foregoing problems, a magnetic latch has beendeveloped. However, the magnetic field must be limited within a specialrange to avoid damaging the electrical device inside the base. In otherwords, the clasping strength of the magnetic latch has an inherentlimitation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a latchmechanism used in the portable computer to improve the fixingefficiency.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an interferencetype latch mechanism for rigidly fixing the cover and the base.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an interference type latchmechanism. This latch mechanism can be used in a portable computer orthe like apparatus with a base and foldable cover.

This interference type latch mechanism includes a first fastener and asecond fastener. The first fastener is installed in the cover. Thesecond fastener is installed in the base. In a preferred embodiment, abump is formed in the coupling surface of the first fastener. Acorresponding recess is formed in the coupling surface of the secondfastener. In the other embodiment, a bump is formed in the couplingsurface of the second fastener. A corresponding recess is formed in thecoupling surface of the first fastener.

When the cover is closed to the base, the first fastener coupling withthe second fastener. The bump is wedged into the recess.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become more readily appreciated and better understood byreferencing the following detailed description, when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a latch mechanism installed ina portable computer according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged diagram of the region 150 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of using the latch mechanism tofix the cover and the base according to the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged diagram of the region 160 in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The latch mechanism of the present invention may improve the fixingstability when the cover is closed. FIG. 1 illustrates a schematicdiagram of a latch mechanism installed in a portable computer accordingto the preferred embodiment of the present invention. This portablecomputer includes a cover 110 and a base 120. A latch mechanism of thepresent inveniotn is installed in the portable computer. This latchmechanism includes a first fastener 130 and a second fastener 140. Thefirst fastener 130 is installed in the rim of the cover 110. The secondfastener 140 is installed in the rim of the base 120. in a preferredembodiment, the first fastener 130 and the second fastener 140 are madeby a metal material.

The first fastener 130 is composed of three parts including a holdingpart 130 a, an extending part 132 and a coupling part 130 b. The holdingpart is joined to the rim of the cover 110 and through the extendingpart 132 to connect with the coupling part 130 b. The extending part 132extends from the cover 110 so as to make the coupling part 130 b locatedlower than the holding part 130 a. In other words, the first fastener130 has a zigzag shape that is from the holding part 130 a through theextending part 132 bent smoothly down to the coupling part 130 b. Thesecond fastener 140 has a strip shape and is joined to the rim of thebase 120.

In othe embodiment, the first fastener can be installed in the rim ofthe base 120. The second fastener can be installed in the rim of thecover 110. In this embodiment, the first fastener 130 has a zigzag shapethat is from the holding part 130 a through the extending part 132 bentsmoothly up to the coupling part 130 b.

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged diagram of the region 150 in FIG. 1. Thecoupling part 130 b protrudes from the cover 110. The protrudingcoupling part 130 b may couple with the second fastener 140 when thecover 110 is closed against the base 120. Moreover, a bump 135 is formedin the coupling surface of the first fastener 130. A correspondingrecess (not shown in this figure) is formed in the coupling surface ofthe second fastener 140. When the cover 110 is closed, the bump 135 iswedged into the corresponding recess to improve the clasping strengthbetween the cover 110 and the base 120.

In another embodiment, the bump 135 can also be formed in the couplingsurface of the second fastener 140. A corresponding recess (not shown inthis figure) is formed in the coupling surface of the first fastener130. The height of the bump 130, the depth of the recess and the area ofthe coupling surface are related to the clasping strength. In otherwords, when requiring a higher clasping strength, a higher bump and alarger coupling surface are required. According to the preferredembodiment, the bump has a hemispherical shape.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of using the latch mechanism tofix the cover and the base according to the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. When the cover 110 is closed, the coupling surfacesof the first fastener 130 and the second fastener 140 are connected toeach other. A tight clasp can be reached by the bump wedging into thecorresponding recess. It is noticed that the positions of the firstfastener 130 and the second fastener 140 respectively located in thecover 110 and the base 120 can be changed as long as the two fasteners130 and 140 can be coupled together when the cover 110 is closed. Inother words, the user can freely modify the latch mechanism position inthe portable computer based on the usage condition. For example, thelatch mechanisms can be designed to locate in different positions fordifferent persons.

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged diagram of the region 160 in FIG. 3. Thefirst fastener 130 and the second fastener 140 are coupled together.According to the present invention, when a user wants to lift the cover110, he can apply force in different directions, indicated by the arrow162 a and the arrow 162 b, to the first fastener 130 and the secondfastener 140 respectively.

Accordingly, the first fastener and the second fastener of the presentinvention are exposed from the shell. Therefore, the two fasteners canprevent the damage of directly hitting the shell. Moreover, whenchanging the position of the two fasteners, it is not necessary to openthe shell, which can avoid breaking the device inside the shell.Moreover, no spring is used in the latch mechanism of the presentinvention. Therefore, the present invention may eliminate the situationof the clasping strength being reduced due to fatigue.

As is understood by a person skilled in the art, the foregoingdescriptions of the preferred embodiment of the present invention are anillustration of the present invention rather than a limitation thereof.Various modifications and similar arrangements are included within thespirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the claims shouldbe accorded to the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all suchmodifications and similar structures. While a preferred embodiment ofthe invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciatedthat various changes can be made therein without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

1. A latch mechanism installed in a base and a foldable cover forlatching said foldable cover and said base, said latch mechanismcomprising: a first fastener having a holding part and a coupling part,wherein said holding pard is installed in the rim of said foldablecover, said coupling part is coupled with said holding part andprotrudes out of said foldable cover; and a second fastener installed inthe rim of said base, wherein said first fastener and said secondfastener are coupled together when said foldable cover and said base areclosed together.
 2. The latch mechanism of claim 1, wherein saidcoupling part further comprises a bump and said second fastener furthercomprises a recess.
 3. The latch mechanism of claim 2, wherein said bumphas a partial spherical shape.
 4. The latch mechanism of claim 2,wherein said bump is wedged into said recess when said first fastenerand said second fastener are coupled together.
 5. The latch mechanism ofclaim 1, wherein said coupling part further comprises a recess and saidsecond fastener further comprises a bump.
 6. The latch mechanism ofclaim 5, wherein said bump has a partial spherical shape.
 7. The latchmechanism of claim 5, wherein said bump is wedged into said recess whensaid first fastener and said second fastener are coupled together.
 8. Alatch mechanism installed in a base and a foldable cover for latchingsaid foldable cover and said base, said latch mechanism comprising: afirst fastener having a holding part and a coupling part, wherein saidholding pard is installed in the rim of said base, said coupling part iscoupled with said holding part and protrudes out from said base; and asecond fastener installed in the rim of said foldable cover, whereinsaid first fastener and said second fastener are coupled together whensaid foldable cover and said base are closed together.
 9. The latchmechanism of claim 8, wherein said coupling part further comprises abump and said second fastener further comprises a recess.
 10. The latchmechanism of claim 9, wherein said bump has a partial spherical shape.11. The latch mechanism of claim 9, wherein said bump is wedged intosaid recess when said first fastener and said second fastener arecoupled together.
 12. The latch mechanism of claim 8, wherein saidcoupling part further comprises a recess and said second fastenerfurther comprises a bump.
 13. The latch mechanism of claim 12, whereinsaid bump has a partial spherical shape.
 14. The latch mechanism ofclaim 12, wherein said bump is wedged into said recess when said firstfastener and said second fastener are coupled together.
 15. A latchmechanism installed in a portable computer with a base and a foldablecover, wherein said latch mechanism is used to latch said foldable coverand said base, said latch mechanism comprising: a first fastener havinga holding part and a coupling part, wherein said holding pard isinstalled in the rim of said base, said coupling part is coupled withsaid holding part and protrudes out from said base, and said couplingpart comprises a first connecting point; and a second fastener installedin the rim of said foldable cover, wherein said second fastenercomprises a second connecting point, and said first connecting point andsaid second connecting point are wedged together when said foldablecover and said base are closed together.
 16. The latch mechanism ofclaim 15, wherein said first connecting point is a bump and said secondconnecting point is a recess.
 17. The latch mechanism of claim 16,wherein said bump has a partial spherical shape.
 18. The latch mechanismof claim 15, wherein said first connecting point is a recess and saidsecond connecting point is a bump.
 19. The latch mechanism of claim 16,wherein said bump has a partial spherical shape.